BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD) in partnership with the local government unit through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office turned over core shelters in two barangays here.
Twenty core shelters were provided to beneficiaries at Barangay Can-eo on Jan. 31 while 27 families at Barangay Dalican were provided their units on Feb. 1.
According to the assessment of the Mining and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, tension cracks were disco-vered on the mountain above the residential areas in Sitio Fabfey, Can-eo, posing risks to 79 families.
It can be recalled that prior to the turnover of the 59 core shelters in 2022, the LGU provided toilet bowls for the construction of the comfort rooms, donated eco-bricks amounting to P250,000 purchased from the senior citizens of Bontoc who came up with a Sustainable Livelihood Project in 2015, and allocated an additional P240,000 for the completion of the core shelters.
A total of P5,530,000 was also turned over to the Can-eo Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (NASA) in 2014 by the DSWD.
At Barangay Dalican, Social Welfare Officer III Stephanie Kanongkong said P15,920,190 was turned over to the NASA for the first 130 beneficiaries while P6,500,000 was given to the second batch with 50 beneficiaries.
Twenty-nine core shelters in the same barangay were turned over in 2022.
DSWD-Cordillera DRMD OIC Division Chief Marifil Jugal who represented OIC Regional Director Enrique Gascon, Jr. said the success of the project is a testament to the collaboration of the agency, the municipal and barangay local government units, NASA, and the community.
Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr., expressed appreciation to the DSWD for their commitment in extending social services to the community, adding that their dedication significantly contributes to the overall well-being of the residents.
“Ensuring that our fellow community members now have secure and sustainable homes is a priority for us. I am confident that these core shelters will not only provide physical protection but will also serve as a symbol of hope and resilience for the families who now call them home,” he said.
He assured the local government unit and its partner agencies would continue to bring government services closer to the community.
The Core Shelter Assistance Program of the DSWD aims to provide disaster-affected families with environment-friendly and structurally strong housing units. – Christy Mae Che-es – Pangesfan
